"Smoking has fallen in response to government action but we have far to go. It is still the case that 6% of young people are already addicted to smoking by the time they are 15. Most of the 250,000 new smokers a year are under 18. Every one of them will die 10 years early as a direct result unless they find a way to kick the habit which is notoriously hard. Here are three actions which should be taken immediately.

"Taxes need to increase. It is absurd that the cost of smoking is the same in real terms as it was 15 years ago, when we know today so much more about the wider costs of smoking to society. For example, smoking costs the economy about £2.5 billion each year in terms of sick leave and lost productivity alone.

"Existing laws should be enforced, and made consistent with alcohol. For a start, tobacco retailers should be licensed which would mean numbers of outlets could be controlled. We also need to be much tougher on shops that repeatedly sell tobacco to under-age people.

"Advertising bans need to be tightened now. The government has agreed that larger retailers should be banned from in-store displays of tobacco products from 2013 – but why not from next year?"

* Dr Patrick Dixon is Chairman Global Change Ltd and author of 13 books including The Truth about Drugs. He is also Founder of the international AIDS agency ACET.

Haha great... People dictating the way others live their life. Thanks. I smoke but i'm not a meanace to society. I'm an A grade student, student leader, taking my VCE. I don't respond to stress well. I used to judge others for smoking and thought I would never start but well, it seems a lot healthier then some of the other things people get up to these days. what is with all this recent negative conotation towards smoking? I don't see nearly the same attitude taken towards alcohol! you cant show cigarettes in advertisement, but its fine to sell alcohol this way as a glamourous life elixer. hypocracy??

Reply to cc

Patrick Dixon

November 12, 2012 - 19:04

Thanks for your comments. Interested to hear other views about smoking - personal stories, what you think governments should do or not do....